7 Types of Car Accidents and How They’re Resolved in Houston, TX

Over 200,000 Texas residents were injured in car accidents in 2018. These injuries happened in a variety of different situations and crashes.

This begs the question: how do you determine fault and get the right claims for different types of car accidents?

That’s what we’re looking to answer today. In this article, we’ll be outlining different types of car accidents common in Houston and how they get resolved.

1. Rear-End Collisions

There are about 1.7 million rear-end car collisions that happen in the U.S. each year. With so many drivers constantly using phones, GPS devices, and other distractions on the road, that figure might not be surprising.

Rear-end collisions are frustrating since it’s often a very preventable accidents. Resolving these collisions and determining fault, however, is pretty straightforward.

Let’s take a look at resolving rear-end collisions here:

How Are Rear-End Collisions Resolved?

In almost all cases, the driver who rear-ended the driver in front of them is at fault for negligence.

The only times the lead driver will be at fault are when:

  • They “brake-check” the rear driver, meaning they brake without a good reason
  • Driving with a flat tire or another mechanical issue
  • Driving with a broken tail light or not using turn signals

Compensation for rear-end collisions in Texas is similarly straightforward. Since liability is easy to agree on, the victim will usually receive a vehicle damage claim.

2. Side-Impact Collisions

A side-impact collision, otherwise known as a “t-bone” collision, is when the front of a car strikes the side of another.

These collisions can be severe and often cause injuries such as whiplash, broken bones, and severe concussions. Determining liability for side-impact collisions is therefore crucial:

How Are Side-Impact Collisions Resolved?

Victims of side-impact collisions in Houston can collect injury claims so long as they get the right representation. A personal injury lawyer helps document the situation and pinpoint the liable party.

If a victim’s case is successful, they can get compensation for medical and rehabilitation expenses.

3. Head-On Collisions

As the name suggests, head-on collisions occur when the front of two vehicles runs into each other. It can happen when one car is in the center of the road, or when a car is driving on the wrong side.

While determining fault is relatively simple in these cases, it still warrants looking at how head-on collisions are resolved:

How are Head-On Collisions Resolved?

In almost all cases, the driver that’s on the wrong side of the road will be found at fault. In some cases, a car is forced into oncoming traffic after a previous crash.

Contact a Houston personal injury attorney as fast as possible to recount events. They can collect the right details and help you determine who’s at fault in head-on collisions.

4. Single-Car Collisions

Not every collision involves multiple cars. However, even if a collision involves just one car, that doesn’t mean multiple parties aren’t at fault.

But no matter who’s involved, if a single car collides into something, it’s known as a single-car collision. Let’s look at how single-car collisions can be resolved:

How Are Single-Car Collisions Resolved?

The victim is responsible for their own collision if their own actions caused the crash. Other causes can be a vehicle malfunction or another driver weaving into your lane, forcing you to swerve and crash.

In those cases, you can file a claim with a car accident attorney.

You can file a claim on another driver or pedestrian so long as you have evidence. Vehicle manufacturers can also be held liable for malfunctioning equipment with the right amount of proof.

5. Low-Speed Collisions

While being hit by a low-speed vehicle might not seem detrimental, you still need to resolve the case correctly. Victims tend to get minor injuries from low-speed collisions but often fail to report them correctly.

Let’s take a look at how low-speed collisions can be resolved here:

How Are Low-Speed Collisions Resolved?

Contrary to popular beliefs, low-speed collisions can cause injury even if you might think you’re okay after being involved in one. If you feel persistent pain or soreness in your neck the day after the crash, you might have MIST (minor impact, soft tissue).

While MIST is one of the most common accident-related injuries out there, it’s not the easiest to prove. Contact a personal injury lawyer right away to get proper injury claims for any minor complications.

6. Pedestrian Collisions

Pedestrian collisions are accidents where a vehicle hits or otherwise injures a pedestrian or anyone that’s not in another car. Even driving as slow as 10 miles per hour can cause serious injury to pedestrians.

That’s why pedestrian collisions are so prevalent and why it’s important to determine fault and get the right claims:

How Are Pedestrian Collisions Resolved?

Once a pedestrian collision occurs, get all injured members to safety and call the ambulance. Get the police and your car accident or personal injuries on the phone as well.

Determining fault can be determined by the law of negligence. However, both the pedestrian and the driver can be at fault. States vary in how negligence is interpreted.

Most states require the driver’s auto insurance liability to pay for injuries and damages. These are “at-fault” states and Texas is one of them.

If you’re the driver or the pedestrian, make sure you contact your personal injury lawyer right away to get your details straight.

7. Merging Collisions

Merging into a highway or even in a residential area causes plenty of accidents that make it hard to determine fault. Reckless drivers often cause merging accidents, but sometimes the situation is more complicated.

Here are ways that merging collisions are typically resolved in the U.S.:

How are Merging Collisions Resolved?

The merging driver is usually at fault and held accountably. Your liability insurance will pay for any damages or injuries caused to the other driver.

But there are exceptions. The vehicle that was hit might’ve been speeding and making it difficult for the merging driver to transition lanes.

Find the Right Car Accident Attorney in Texas

The right car accident attorney can help you get the right claims for a car accident no matter the type. Use this article to understand the different types of car accidents common in Texas and how to resolve them.

Are you a Houston resident recently involved in a car accident and need representation? Contact us today and we can get your cases started today!

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